&#34;Section 8&#34; holder, the ultimate retention device

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the invention is to specifically address the problem of maintaining control and retention of a tactical device such as a flashlight while allowing use of the retention hand by rotating the flashlight to the backside of the hand and gaining use of the palm of the same hand for normal gripping. The invention accomplishes this by the virtue of the design of a flexible figure “8” shape that has 2 holes incorporated into it. The one hole is sized so that the most common tactical flashlight body diameters will be a tight friction fit between it and the figure “8”. The other hole accepts a finger “sizing ring”. The sizing ring is easily replaceable and is also a friction fit into the figure “8”. The proper sizing ring will allow the device to rotate freely on a digit of the hand, typically the index finger. The flashlight is held firmly and allowed to rotate and change positions to go from a palm gripped position to a position on the back of the hand. With a flip of the wrist, the flashlight goes from the back of the hand to the gripping position while being firmly retained and in a predictable position, unlike a lanyard or unattached flashlight. Once the invention is flipped to the palm position, the flashlight is easily held in the palm of the hand in any of the accepted methods of tactical training such as the hand over hand position or the hand alongside the firearm position. If the invention is flipped the opposite direction, it will flex back to its neutral flat state and rest on the backside of the hand holding the invention, and use of the open hand is available.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a retention device for holding andcontrolling an object, most notably a tactical flashlight, andmaintaining use of both hands for situations arising but not limited tolaw enforcement and competitive firearms competitions

In the venues of law enforcement and competitive firearms competitions,there are often times the need to apply use of a tactical flashlight toa given situation. The law enforcement officer or competitor might needto have a flashlight in one hand to identify a threat and hold anothercontrol device or firearm in the other hand.

In PRIOR ART, the common method of holding a flashlight was either inthe bare hand or with an attaching cord called a lanyard. The lanyard,attached to the flashlight, was typically looped over the wrist and theflashlight was retained if dropped by the officer. The lanyard wasdifficult to control at best and especially hard to get control of ifdropped. The above situation with a dangling light is a potentiallydangerous one for an officer. An offender can grasp the cord and now hasa means of dragging or controlling the officer and his one arm. With abare hand and no attachment, the light can be dropped or misplaced ifboth hands are needed quickly.

In a dangerous encounter, an officer might need to shine a light on thesubject to gain control, or in worst case, draw a firearm. The safestmethod of doing this is to identify the object with the light and then,only if needed, draw the firearm to the subject. If the situationescalates to this, then there are accepted law enforcement methods oftraining and holding that place the firearm and light in alignment witheach other.

If the problem escalates and shooting is required, the light and firearmneed to stay on target. If the situation requires the officer to expendmore rounds than the magazine in the firearm can hold or if the firearmjams, a reload is required. This reload has to be quick and theflashlight and firearm need to be controlled and on target. A free handto grasp the spare magazine and insert it into the firearm is helpful.Typically, this required setting down the flashlight or dangling thelight from a lanyard to have free movement of the non firearm hand. Adangling lanyard or a dropped flashlight are a liability when thesituation is critical.

These potential real life low light situations are routinely practicedby law enforcement in their training. There are also national andinternational competitive shooting sports organizations that practicethese and other real life scenarios where a flashlight and full use ofthe hands for situations including quick reloading is needed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the invention is to specifically address the problem ofmaintaining control and retention of a tactical device such as aflashlight while allowing use of the retention hand by rotating theflashlight to the backside of the hand and gaining use of the palm ofthe same hand for normal gripping. The device will also add an elementof safety by eliminating a dangling lanyard or a dropped or lost devicesuch as the flashlight in a critical situation.

The invention accomplishes this by the virtue of the design of aflexible figure “8” shape that has 2 holes incorporated into it. The onehole is sized so that the most common tactical flashlight body diameterswill be a tight friction fit between it and the figure “8”. The otherhole accepts a “sizing ring”. The sizing ring is easily replaceable andis also a friction fit into the figure “8”. The inserted sizing ring isa different harder material with little surface friction unlike thefigure “8” device which has good surface friction and grippingqualities.

The proper sizing ring will allow the device to rotate freely on a digitof the hand, typically the index finger. The flashlight is held firmlyand allowed to rotate and change positions to go from a palm grippedposition to a position on the back of the hand.

With a flip of the wrist, the flashlight goes from the back of the handto the gripping position while being firmly retained and in apredictable position, unlike a lanyard or unattached flashlight.

Once the light is flipped to the palm position, the flashlight is easilyheld in the palm of the hand in any of the accepted methods of tacticaltraining such as the hand over hand position or the hand alongside thefirearm position. This is able to be accomplished due to the flexibilityof the figure “8” material and the design of the shape itself. If thelight is flipped the opposite direction, it will flex back to itsneutral flat state and rest on the backside of the hand holding thedevice, and use of the open hand is available.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the device.

FIG. 1B is a side view of the device.

FIG. 1C is a front view of the device.

FIG. 1D is a sectional view through the device.

FIG. 2A is a photograph of an insert.

FIG. 2B is a photograph of an insert and the body of the deviceassembled together.

FIG. 2C is a photograph of the body without an insert.

FIG. 2D is a second view of an insert.

FIG. 3A shows the device before it is inserted over an object.

FIG. 3B shows the device inserted over an object.

FIG. 3C is an end view of the device inserted over an object.

FIG. 4A shows an end view of a device with no insert.

FIG. 4B shows an end view of a device with no insert and a thicker wallsection than FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C shows a side view of a device with no insert

FIG. 4D shows a side view of a device with no insert and a thicker crosssection that in FIG. 4C.

FIG. 4E is a perspective view of a device with no insert.

FIG. 7A shows the device in use and on the back of the hand position.

FIG. 7B shows the device in a mid position.

FIG. 7C shows the device in a “hand over hand” position.

FIG. 7D shows the device in use and on the back of the hand position.

FIG. 7E shows the device in a mid position.

FIG. 7F shows the device in a position between the index and middlefinger.

FIG. 6A is a photograph of the device in the back of hand position.

FIG. 6B is a photograph of the device rotated to the palm of the hand.

FIG. 6C is a photograph of the device in the hand over hand position.

FIG. 6D is a photograph of the device in a position between the indexand middle finger.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings in general, the drawings are to describe thepreferred embodiment of the invention and not meant to limit the scopeof the invention.

As best shown in FIG. 1A, the invention is comprised of a flexible bodywith at least, but not limited to, two openings. The openings are shownas round, but should not be limited to a round shape and can be made tofit the required object(s) to be held. The body of the invention isdesigned to accept and firmly hold an insert(s) that is generally of amaterial that is more conducive to holding its given shape. In thisdefinition, object(s) refers to a part that the invention is designed tomate with to accomplish the scope of the invention. The object(s) is notpart of the invention. The invention refers to the body of the inventionand the insert of the invention.

The object(s) and the insert are designed to be held by a friction fitas well as by the mechanical design of the insert and the size and shapeof the holes located in the flexible body of the invention. The amountof friction is also determined by the material selection of the insertand body of the invention.

In FIG. 1B, the invention is shown in the side view. In FIG. 1C, isshown a front view of FIG. 1B. In the cross sectional shown in FIG. 1D,3 is showing a side view of the invention body and 4 is showing aninsert. It is noted that the opening in the body will be smaller thatthe corresponding insert contact surface and will need to expand inorder for the insert to be placed. This expansion and subsequentgripping and the resiliency and flexibility of the invention body createthe described friction to hold the body of the invention and the insertand the object, and allow the invention to function as intended.

In FIG. 1D, the sectional view also shows that insert 4 is designed witha lip on either side of the insert. This is an example, but not limitedto, a mechanical method of retaining the relationship of the body of theinvention to the insert.

FIG. 2A shows a photograph of an example of an insert. The insert wouldbe formed of a material that would maintain its shape when inserted intothe body of the invention. The friction of the insert is accomplished bythe relationship of this fixed diameter that mates to the flexible andresilient body of the invention as described in paragraph 0013 when theinsert is placed into the body of the invention. In this photograph, theinsert is shown to have a lip on either side of the mating diameters.This lip will produce a mechanical means of holding the insert to thebody of the invention. The insert in the photograph is shown as, but notlimited to a round shape.

FIG. 2B is a photograph of the invention. The parts of the inventionshown are 1 the flexible and resilient body of the invention and 2 theinsert.

FIG. 2C shows a photograph of the flexible and resilient body of theinvention without an insert.

FIG. 2D shows a photograph of an insert.

In its preferred embodiment, when the invention is placed over anobject, the design and shape of the opening in the invention that mateswith the object should be such that a friction fit is employed betweentheir mating surfaces when the flexible and resilient body of theinvention is placed properly over the object. The material selection ofthe body of the invention and the shape of the body will determine theforce required to place the invention over the object and also determinewhat forces the joining of the invention and the object, once in theirproperly inserted position, can withstand. The material selection of theflexible and resilient body and the shape of the opening should be ableto supply sufficient friction and maintain position between theinvention and the object to resist linear and rotational forces actingto move them from their inserted position.

FIG. 3A shows an object 2 and the invention 3 and the arrow 1 depictingthe direction that the invention will move in order to establish aresting position onto an object. It is implied that the object isstationary in this depiction. It is shown that the invention has a roundopening and the object has a corresponding round hole although the scopeof the invention should not be limited to a round object for itsfunction. A round opening and a round object are used for ease ofdiscussion purposes.

FIG. 3B depicts the invention 7 that has been inserted over an objectand a position established. A point of reference that defines theestablished position is shown as 6. This point can be used as anindicator of where the invention and the object are when at rest andalso when a force is applied. If the invention is properly designed withrespect to the materials selection for the flexible and resilient bodyof the invention and the design of the opening in the invention issufficient to apply frictional and mechanical holding power, the pointof contact 6 should maintain relationship between the invention and theobject if forces defined by the end use are not exceeded. 5 shows thedirection linear forces that might act upon this contact point asdescribed above.

FIG. 3C depicts an end view of the same invention and object asdescribed in paragraph 0021 above, looking at them from the direction ofA as shown in FIG. 3B. 8 is shown to be the non moving and fixed objectas described in paragraph 0020. 9 shows the flexible and resilient bodyof the invention. 11 depicts forces acting in a direction that wouldattempt to rotate the invention about the object. 10 is a contact pointthat can be used as an indicator of where the invention and the objectare when at rest and also when a force is applied. If the invention isproperly designed with respect to the materials selection for theflexible and resilient body of the invention and the design of theopening in the invention is sufficient to apply frictional andmechanical holding power, the point of contact 10 should maintainrelationship between the invention and the object if forces defined bythe end use are not exceeded.

The material selection as well as the physical design of the inventionwill determine what amount of friction is achieved between the inventionand the insert, and between the invention and the object. Once thedetermination has been made of the desired frictional properties neededto meet the objective of the invention, these properties can beadjusted. This combination of flexibility and resiliency and theadjustability are the essence of the design of the invention. This canbe achieved by varying the wall thickness of the body of the inventionas depicted in FIG. 4A which has a thin wall 1 and in FIG. 4B that has anotably thicker wall section 2. The invention can also be adjusted byvarying the thickness of the body as shown in FIG. 4C which has a thinwall 3 and FIG. 4 D which has a thicker wall 4. FIG. 4E is a perspectiveview that shows the wall thickness 6 and the body thickness 5.

As described in the above paragraphs, the flexibility and resiliency andthe adjustability of the invention can be determined by physical designof the invention. Another method of obtaining this adjustability eitherindependently with the physical design changes or as a stand alone meansis the material selection. In its preferred embodiment the inventionwould be comprised of a flexible and resilient body molded from a rubbermaterial and would have an insert molded from a plastic polymer materialsuch as nylon. By adjusting the properties of the rubber material andvarying the hardness and grade of rubber, the device can be tailored tomeet the needs of the invention. It should be noted that the flexibleand resilient body could be made of other materials than rubber thatproduce the desired characteristics. The insert could also be of othermaterials or polymers and also but not limited to metals or aluminum.

In its preferred embodiment, the invention has the insert centerline andobject centerline in a fixed attitude to each other. This attitude isdescribed as the normal state of the invention at rest with no forcesacting on it. This position can be seen in FIG. 5A with 1 showing theinsert and 2 showing the flexible resilient body of the invention. Inits preferred embodiment during use, the device might be subjected toforces acting longitudinally and rotationally as described in the aboveparagraphs. A combination or addition to these forces might be atwisting and moving of the centerlines of the object and the insert awayfrom each other to achieve a useful position of the invention. Theseforces might be seen by F in FIGS. 5B and F in FIG. 5C.

In its preferred embodiment, the invention might be used to secure anobject (flashlight) to the hand by virtue of inserting a finger throughthe insert. The object (flashlight) is secured to the invention due tothe frictional forces described for mating the invention to an object.FIG. 5D shows a hand holding the invention. The invention has beeninserted over a tactical flashlight. The flexible and resilient body ofthe invention has allowed the object (flashlight) to be put into auseful tactical position and to be retained onto the hand by virtue ofthe digit of the hand being inserted into the insert. Once the twistingforces on the invention have been taken away or the hand is relaxed, theinvention will return to a normal state as described in paragraph 0025.

In its preferred embodiment, the insert will have the ability to be madeof different sizes to accommodate different hand digit sizes. Thedifferent sizes will allow either a tight fit or a loose fit. A fit thatallows the insert to rotate freely on the digit is desirable to allowthe invention to rotate about the digit of the hand with an objectinserted in the invention. The invention will be able to rotate aboutthe digit to different positions. In the position where the invention isrotated to the back of the hand, the hand is free to use all digits forgrasping. The invention maintains the object (flashlight) in apredictable and retained manner resting or near the back of the hand andout of the way. This can be seen in FIG. 6A

If the invention is rotated towards the palm of the hand, the object(flashlight) will move in that direction and at the same time maintainthe normal state described in FIG. 5A. This normal state of theinvention is used to define the location of the object (flashlight) andmake it predictable as to its location and attitude. The object willrotate but not “flop” in a random manner. This predictability isessential to knowing the object will be at a desired location dependingon how the invention is rotated. FIG. 6 B shows the object (flashlight)rotated to the palm of the hand.

Once the invention has been rotated to a useful position, the digits ofthe hand can be used to apply the needed forces to make the body of theinvention deform to the useful position. Once these forces are removed,the invention will return to the normal state. The forces can belongitudinal, rotational, twisting, or a combination thereof. Duringthese force applications, the object (flashlight) will maintain thefrictional bond between the invention and the object and maintain therelationships described in 0021 and 0022. The invention and objectremain fixed and the invention and insert can be moved and flexed asneeded.

In its preferred embodiment the invention will be used with a tacticalflashlight during law enforcement operations and shooting competitions.There are accepted training methods and positions that have been proveneffective for the use of a tactical flashlight. Two of these positionsare shown. In FIG. 6C, the invention is being used with a tacticalflashlight in the “hand over hand” position and the flashlight tail capis being operated with a thumb. In FIG. 6D, the invention is being usedin the position of location of the tactical flashlight between the indexand middle finger and the flashlight tail cap is being operated with thepalm of the hand and thumb intersection. Both of these positions arecurrently being used for training and shooting competitions.

In its preferred embodiment the invention will be used with a tacticalflashlight during law enforcement operations and shooting competitions.There are accepted training methods and positions that have been proveneffective for the use of a tactical flashlight. The sequence of rotatingthe invention from the back of the hand where the invention is in itsnormal resting position FIG. 7A and going to the “hand over hand”position is shown. FIG. 7B shows a mid position and FIG. 7C shows afinal useful “hand over hand” position. FIG. 7D shows the invention in aback of hand normal resting position. FIG. 7E shows a mid position withthe index finger and middle finger opening to accept the invention. FIG.7F shows the useful position of between index finger and middle finger.

1) A flexible retention device with multiple adjustable openings to gripobjects inserted into the openings to comprise an adjustable retentionsystem that will attach an object or an adjustable rigid insert to thedevice and the retention device will rotate on or about a digit of thehand allowing controlled forced flexibility from a normal resting stateto a useful state of said device and the device returning to a normalresting state when forces are removed and while maintaining relativepositions of the of the inserted objects. 2) A flexible gripping devicein claim 1 wherein the device is able to be flexed and said deviceresilient properties will return said device to its normal resting statewhen the flexing forces are removed. 3) A gripping device in claim 1wherein the device has at least 2 openings. 4) A gripping device inclaim 1 wherein the device is a flexible molded material sized to applya friction fit to the inserted objects. 5) A gripping device in claim 1wherein an opening is designed to accept a rigid insert to effectivelycontrol the inside openings of the device. 6) A gripping device in claim1 will expand and hold the rigid insert by friction. 7) A grippingdevice in claim 1 will hold rigid insert by mechanical design. 8) Agripping device in claim 1 wherein the device can be slid over an objectand the friction produced from the object and the device will maintainrelative fore and aft and relative rotational position to each other. 9)A gripping device in claim 1 wherein the material choice and thephysical dimensions can determine the controlled flexibility of thedevice in linear, rotational, and bending modes. 10) A gripping devicein claim 1 wherein the device can be deflected with applied force toallow the axis centerlines of the objects to move away from the normalobjects axis positions. 11) A gripping device in claim 1 wherein thedevice will return to its natural position and allow the axiscenterlines of the objects to move back to their normal axis positions.12) A gripping device in claim 1 wherein the insert can be of a materialto allow friction between the insert and the device and also allowmovement or sliding of another object placed inside the gripped insert13) A gripping device in claim 1 wherein if the insert is placed over adigit of the hand and an object is placed into the other opening, theobject can be rotated about the centerline of the digit of the handgoing from a palm position to a back of hand position allowing freemovement of all the digits of the hand while retaining the device andobject. 14) A gripping device in claim 1 wherein the gripping forceapplied with the hand will deform the flexible device to allow it toconform to the desired use and when said force is released, the flexibledevice will return to the normal resting state. 15) A gripping device inclaim 1 wherein the device is used to hold a tactical flashlight that ispredictably retained and able to be rotated about a digit of the handinto useful tactical operating positions